Method and apparatus for pressure testing storage tanks

US6889865B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Xerxes Corporation · US

Inventors

• John Burwell · Eagan, US
• Don C. Abel · Lower Burrell, US
• Chester Batzkiel · Tipton, US
• Greg Carty · Clarence, US
• Onesimo Gomez · Norwalk, US
• David Lehman · Lewisberry, US
• Roberto Sanchez · Houston, US
• Robin Berg · Hudson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 14, 2000
• Grant date: May 10, 2005
• Expiry date: Aug 16, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65D90/10
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A storage tank includes a dome placed over an open end of a riser and secured to the riser by a fiberglass ring formed over a flanged end of the dome and a portion of the riser that is adjacent to the dome such that the interior of the tank may be pressurized to facilitate leak detection. A fillet of putty or other material that will not adhere or only weakly adhere to the riser and dome is placed over a horizontal surface of the flanged end. This arrangement allows the dome to be removed from the riser by simply grinding away a corner portion of the fiberglass ring at the bottom edge of the dome. The dome may then be reused for other tanks.In another embodiment, a domed cover is formed on an interior of the riser. The domed cover preferably includes a flat outside edge which is permanently attached to the inside wall of the riser. After the tank has been installed and tested, the domed portion is cut away, leaving the flat edge attached to the interior wall of the riser. The flat edge then serves as a flange for supporting a required pump, filter or other device.